Bizarre foods in Beijing

Yes, I’m a fan of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods – a show that takes being adventurous with food to the new level of audacity. I haven’t watched it much lately but I know that Asia has been among his frequent culinary destinations. In a Beijing-focused episode he visited the two most famous street markets that were also my favorite food spots in the city: Wangfujing Snack Street, in the hutong just west off the posh Wangfujing Street, and Donghuamen Night Market also off Wangfujing further north. Both provide a unique opportunity to enjoy excellent street food, mix with a lively crowd of tourists and locals, and challenge yourself in ways you have not been before. Zimmern’s signature phrase is: ‘If it looks good, eat it.’ Many stalls in these Beijing street markets pose another question – what if it looks, uhm, scary? Should you still eat it? Zimmern’s answer – yes! My answer – let me take some photos first and then I’ll decide how far I’m willing to go =)

My street food journey through Beijing began at the entrance to Wangfujing Snack Street marked by a colorful arch Stepping through it is like stepping into a different dimension, full of bright colors, exotic smells, and excited crowds
…and the encounter with bizarre foods begins right away. Freshly fried sea horse, scorpion, or starfish anyone?
More scorpions – and bigger!
This steam-emitting drink was a local hit
If strange foods are getting to be too much, focus on the stalls with more familiar fare – like dumplings
Mmm, fresh coconut! (and some kind of nut I’m not familiar with =)
Delicious fruit mix on a stick

Now off to Donghuamen Street and its culinary treasures…
Seafood and animal organs ready to be fried to order
Cool-looking mushrooms
Giant green grasshoppers
Skewered lizards and… really not sure what!
All the stalls list foods and prices, along with English translations, which is great. But some translations are a bit lacking or don’t really clarify much… “Palatable cake”?
Silkworm grubs (left) is something I did try and – to my surprise – enjoyed quite a bit
But I’m not brave enough for THIS! Anybody tried? Do share the experience!
In case your stomach is turning right about now, let’s bid goodbye to the many food wonders of Donghuamen Night Market with a more familiar sight =)

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